Cart Carries Laughs to Pediatric Patients

You don’t have to see the Jewish Women International’s “humor cart” to know it’s coming.

Dressed up with colorful books, stuffed animals and toys, the cart beeps, squeaks and even laughs as it travels the halls of Northridge Hospital Medical Center each week.

The whole purpose of the cart is to make sick children--and their worried parents--smile, said Sylvia Dobkin, a member of Jewish Women International’s local chapter.

Which is why the 80-year-old donned bright red pants, an oversized blue bow tie and curly red wig Thursday, handing out stickers with the help of her stuffed animal friend Chango--a big, hairy monkey with dangling limbs--hoping for a laugh.

“I love it,” Dobkin said. “I never have so much satisfaction, than to bring smiles to these children’s faces.”

It worked for 12-year-old Gabriel Estrada of Palmdale. Recovering from ankle surgery earlier this week, the boy needed a good laugh--and he got one.

“I like it a lot, the jokes and things they give you and how nice they are to you,” he said of the surprise visit Thursday.

Five women dressed in bright clothes and silly hats made the rounds on the hospital’s pediatrics floor, finding that their riddles and toys often entertained the adults as much as the children.

Susan Pedinoff of Granada Hills was relieved the “humor cart” could take her daughter’s mind off her illness, if only for a while. Pedinoff watched as 9-year-old Rachel beamed when she found out the wooden toy she was playing with was hers to keep.

“I thought it was very special; it distracted her totally and changed her attitude,” Pedinoff said.

The group’s local chapter received a $5,000 one-time grant from the Ahmanson Foundation in February 1996 to fund the “humor cart,” said Kathy Kaminsky, chapter president. Since then, volunteers and friends have donated stuffed animals and other toys to keep it up and running.

Though the volunteers say they love spreading cheer, the fewer children in the hospital the better, Kaminsky said: “That means they’re doing just fine.”